OUR VIEW: Congress now focus for local politicians

Congressional politics are heating up and they have a decidedly local slant.

State Rep. Joe Carr, R-Lascassas, was running for the Republican nomination for the Fourth Congressional District seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn. Another local, state Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, is also running for the GOP's nomination for next year's election.

Now, however, Carr has decided to withdraw from the race and is seeking to unseat U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and become our next U.S. senator.

Carr certainly has the conservative chops to be a viable candidate in Tennessee, and he does appear to have strong support from the more conservative elements of the GOP, including several tea party groups. He should present an interesting contrast to Alexander in the upcoming U.S. Senate contest.

During his congressional campaign, Carr handily outpaced the incumbent in fundraising and will take about $300,000 with him to the Senate campaign. However, two concerns exist.

Carr was not the leading fundraiser in the Fourth District race - that title firmly lies with Tracy who at last count has more than $650,000 in cash on hand.

Also, as we are certain Carr will be the first to say, it will take a heck of a lot more than $300,000 to defeat Alexander.

However, Carr has two things in his favor. First is Lee Beaman, owner of the Beaman Automotive Group. He's a capable businessman and will be an asset to Carr. Second is tea party support, and tea party groups have been quite successful at fundraising and grassroots efforts.

Our main concern is opportunism. Carr was pretty set on running for the U.S. House and the sudden shift could appear as though he is chasing where the opportunity to get into national office lies, rather than seeking a position in which he truly desires to serve.

That said, Carr has served the state's 48th District and its citizens admirably in his time in the Legislature, and we have no doubt of his concern for how certain issues are handled on a national level. We look forward to discussing those issues with him.

This is his first campaign for national office, and no doubt it will be a learning experience.

However, this much we know: Win, lose or draw, Carr's political career will be far from over at the conclusion of the U.S. Senate election.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

OUR VIEW: Congress now focus for local politicians

Congressional politics are heating up and they have a decidedly local slant.